Application & Data Servers
Servers are essential to a modern network. Servers that are at par performance and are reliable enable a network of users or employees to operate and communicate smoothly.
Each type of server has specific configurations to provide the necessary requirements of the in-network users. Some different types of servers include:
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Each server has its own performance factor which is determined by CPU speed, the number of CPUs, available memory storage, disk size and disk speed. Each server must be configured based upon the number of users trying to access the server and the number of files and applications being used at any one time.
Moreover, a properly setup server maintains “fault tolerance”. This is the ability of a correctly setup server to have redundancy to tolerate errors and hardware failures. The I.T. crew at NetPros Computers knows to pay special attention to backing up data to disk, redundant power supplies, error correcting memory, and proper airflow & cooling of the server; which help minimize downtime and errors.
Network servers control and manage network resources such as files, printers, users, groups, etc. Servers are classified according to the service they provide to the network. File servers are used to store files; print servers control one or more printers; network servers control network traffic and access. General server specifications and processor specifications are the most important parameters to consider when selecting network servers. Additional specifications to consider include memory and storage, connectivity, operating systems supported, and features.
General specifications that should be considered when selecting network servers include server type and form factor. Choices for server type include network servers, applications or file servers, printer servers, web servers, proxy servers, and SAN servers. File servers are nothing more than computers that store various files and documents. These types of servers do very little processing and do not need to be high speed (high MHz) or contain massive amounts of RAM. Application servers are similar to file servers, except they house applications that are run directly from them. Since the PC is doing all the work, these servers can be low-end as well. Print servers are central computers that manage networked printers from a single location. They are setup with multiple printers that are shared for the end users to access. Web servers transfer content over the Internet using the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). Proxy servers allow users to access outside networks such as the Internet, without disturbing the internal network. SAN servers controls or is part of a Storage Area Network (SAN). SAN is a high-speed subnetwork of shared storage devices. Choices for form factor include rack mounted, desktop or tower, and portable.
Important processor specifications to consider when searching for network servers include processor or CPU type, processor speed, and supported processors. The processor speed is the number of operations per second (expressed in MHz) that the processor can accomplish. Supported processors refer to the maximum number of processors supported by the server.
Memory and storage specifications to consider when selecting network servers include supported RAM, cache memory (L1 and L2), supported storage, hard drive supported, and RAID support. Connectivity choices for network servers include 10Base-T Ethernet, 10-Base2Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Token Ring, Fibre Channel, and Fieldbus. I/O ports available include serial, parallel, USB, and IEEE 1394. The number of PCI slots available in the server is also important to consider. The operating systems supported by the network server can be Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows NT, Linux, Novell NetWare, SCO UnixWare, Banyan VINES, Unix, and Mac OS. Common features for network servers include redundant power supplies, redundant fan modules, system management utilities, and operating temperature.
Network servers control and manage network resources. These may include network print servers (or network printer server), network fax servers, network file servers, network video servers, network camera services, network access servers, network storage servers, network time servers, and client network servers. Network servers are classified according to the service they provide to the network.
Network file servers are used to store files; network print servers control one or more printers; network access servers control network traffic and access. General network server specifications and processor specifications are the most important parameters to consider when selecting network servers. Additional specifications to consider include memory and storage, connectivity, operating systems supported, and features. General specifications that should be considered when selecting network servers include server type and form factor. Choices for server type include network servers, applications or file servers, printer servers, web servers, proxy servers, and SAN servers. File servers (sometimes called network attached servers or network attached storage servers) are nothing more than computers that store various files and documents. These types of network servers do very little processing and do not need to be high speed (high MHz) or contain massive amounts of RAM. Application network servers are similar to file servers, except they house applications that are run directly from them. Since the PC is doing all the work, these servers can be low-end as well. Network print servers are central computers that manage networked printers from a single location. This network server setup allows multiple printers to be shared by end users. Web network servers transfer content over the Internet using the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). Proxy servers allow users to access outside networks such as the Internet, without disturbing the internal network. SAN servers controls or is part of a Storage Area Network (SAN). SAN is a high-speed sub-network of shared storage devices. Choices for form factor include network server rack, desktop or tower, and portable.
Important processor specifications to consider when searching for network servers include processor or CPU type, processor speed, and supported processors. The processor speed is the number of operations per second (expressed in MHz) that the processor can accomplish. Supported processors refer to the maximum number of processors supported by the server. Network server management is an important consideration when specifying for a server-based network.
Memory and storage specifications to consider when selecting network servers include supported RAM, cache memory (L1 and L2), supported storage, hard drive supported, and RAID support. Connectivity choices for network servers include 10Base-T Ethernet, 10-Base2Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Token Ring, Fibre Channel, and Fieldbus. I/O ports available include serial, parallel, USB, and IEEE 1394. The number of PCI slots available in the network server is also important to consider. The operating systems supported by the network server can be Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows NT, Linux, Novell NetWare, SCO UnixWare, Banyan VINES, UNIX, and Mac OS. Common features for network servers include redundant power supplies, redundant fan modules, system management utilities, and operating temperature.
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